Robert “Bob” L. Haley

Robert “Bob” L. Haley, 72, of Purcell, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, at Lexington Nursing Home in Lexington. Funeral services will be 1:58 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Purcell. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery. Robert Lyle Haley was born June 17, 1939, in Okmulgee, the baby of four children born to Dewey Benton Haley and Bertha Florence (Slover) Haley. He grew up in Okmulgee and attended Okmulgee Schools, graduating in 1958. He attended the University of Houston and then Murray State in Tishomingo for a short time. Bob married the love of his life, a young lady named Valerye Marie Bissett, on Aug. 26, 1960, in Okmulgee. He later finished his education at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. From there, it was on to Purcell, where he and Val raised their children, son, Matt, and daughters Julie and Brooke. For more than 28 years, Bob Haley roamed the halls at Purcell Public Schools, where Bob began and finished a remarkable and distinguished career. He loved coaching and teaching and he impacted many lives. He was known by many as simply “Coach.” Bob was a great example in many ways. He was a family man first. He cherished Val and the kids and was a wonderful example of a husband and father. Bob also loved the Lord and he lived his life as an example for all Christians. He was kind and considerate, extremely positive, and you could always count on a good story. He was a member of the Oklahoma Coaches Association and the 9th and Pierce Church of Christ. Among his many honors, Bob was most proud to have been inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1992-1993. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Robert Lyle Haley was born June 17, 1939, in Okmulgee, the baby of four children born to Dewey Benton Haley and Bertha Florence (Slover) Haley. He grew up in Okmulgee and attended Okmulgee Schools, graduating in 1958. He attended the University of Houston and then Murray State in Tishomingo for a short time. Bob married the love of his life, a young lady named Valerye Marie Bissett, on Aug. 26, 1960, in Okmulgee. He later finished his education at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. From there, it was on to Purcell, where he and Val raised their children, son, Matt, and daughters Julie and Brooke. For more than 28 years, Bob Haley roamed the halls at Purcell Public Schools, where Bob began and finished a remarkable and distinguished career. He loved coaching and teaching and he impacted many lives. He was known by many as simply “Coach.” Bob was a great example in many ways. He was a family man first. He cherished Val and the kids and was a wonderful example of a husband and father. Bob also loved the Lord and he lived his life as an example for all Christians. He was kind and considerate, extremely positive, and you could always count on a good story. He was a member of the Oklahoma Coaches Association and the 9th and Pierce Church of Christ. Among his many honors, Bob was most proud to have been inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1992-1993. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Dewey and Bertha Haley; his brother, Ray Haley; and his sister, Mary Lou Shively. Bob leaves behind his wife, Valerye of the home; his son, Matt Haley of Calumet; his daughters Brooke Hamlett of Marysville, Ohio, and Julie Dvorak of Norman; his brother, Gene Haley of Muskogee; and seven grandchildren, Jacob, Catherine and Ethan Dvorak, Cameron and Chandler Haley and Connor and Tyler Hamlett; two step-grandchildren, Aspyn and Karstyn Davis; and a host of other family and friends. Arrangements are by Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell. Norman Transcript, Friday, Feb. 10, 2012

Memories(8)

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Jerry Don Hayes says
February 8, 2021 at 5:29 pm

Bob Haley was a Superhero! He taught me in Sunday school about the most important thing ever, which is having Jesus Christ in my life. Bob was there in one of my darkest hour of my life. My Mother had passed and he reassured me that in time everything will be fine. As I celebrated one of the finest moments of my youth, he proudly coached me to a State Track Championships 1980. Under his direction he developed me, in becoming a 2 time All-Stater. Bob’s values that he imparted in me, are still strong foundations in my life. I had the blessing in sharing Bob’s story in a ShareYourY.life Legacy video. Please take the time to go visit his memorial page at https://shareyoury.life/stories/robert-bob-l-haley watch his legacy video, leave a memory and then share his memorial page. “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die”. ~Thomas Campbell
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  Lawanna Newell McAdams says
  February 28, 2021 at 2:04 pm
  
  My favorite teacher in school. He always had a smile for everyone. Always a word of encouragement. I always looked forward to his class because he made learning fun. Field trips were the best! He is missed!!
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Jana Stapp Rolin says
February 22, 2021 at 3:33 pm

I loved his words of wisdom when he would visit my office at the high school. He was an a amazing man and truly listened and cared about you. He will always have a special place in my heart.
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Cari Wilson says
February 23, 2021 at 7:08 pm

Coach Haley…❤️still remains one of the best teachers in my life. I remember the class field trips we would take that prepared you for “real” life better then anything you could read in a book. He always encouraged you and gave you confidence to believe in yourself and that we each were something special. I truly love this man and his family. They are the ones that are special. ❤️
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Rocky Fishburn says
March 8, 2021 at 1:19 pm

Bob Haley was a great teacher, coach and friend. I regret missing his funeral while I was deployed to Afghanistan. I ran track for Bob and I absolutely loved it, best experience I had in high school. He fostered a cohesive team and managed us boys with a great balance of hard work, passion for competition, and a sense of humor. I ran my hardest not from fear but from not wanting to let Coach Haley down. Distance running was tough but very rewarding, I continued to run throughout my military career, and I loved the challenge. I think about Coach and track and field often to this day. Thank you coach for a life well lived and for the lasting influence you left all of us.
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Felicia Shea Smith says
April 5, 2021 at 6:00 pm

It wasn’t just coaching. It was in everything he said and did. It was in the approach that he always handled things. Mr. Haley could talk to you about any subject. You always walked away knowing you had learned something from him. Always reassuring you everything was going to me ok. He always had a smile and a kind hug. One of the most caring teacher every. Willing to help if he could. Loved his sense of humor. Seems everyone loved Coach Haley. His class was fun. He made us laugh. Yet was serious about his job. My favorite teacher of all times. There will never be another.
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Thomas Smith says
April 5, 2021 at 7:42 pm

Bob was so special. It is often hard to find words adequate to describe the impact of such a man on a school system and a community. The universal love and respect he nurtured and inspired will live on forever.❤️
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Valerye Haley says
May 8, 2021 at 2:37 pm

What do I say about the love of my life? He was the sweetest man who ever drew breath, and treated me like a queen every day of my life. He was a true gentleman, and very polite to all. He is waiting for me to join him in heaven, which I will do when God calls me home.